Funding

Autism Ontario Funding

The One-to-One Summer Support Worker Reimbursement Fund is available to Ontario families of children or youth with ASD who retain the services of a one-to-one support worker for their child to attend a community summer camp or summer program.

Maximum reimbursements of $600, per child or youth, (18 years or younger) will be made to subsidize services purchased during the summer months (June 30th to August 29th, 2014). A minimum of 500 families from across Ontario are expected to receive reimbursements.

The deadline for all applications is May 30, 2014, no exceptions. Reimbursement will be made based on random selection.Reimbursements will be provided based on a random selection made from all eligible applicants who apply.

The 2015 March Break Reimbursement Fund is available to Ontario families who either retain the services of a one-to-one support worker or pay for a March Break camp/program for their child/youth with ASD.

Maximum reimbursements of $350, per child or youth, (18 years or younger) will be made to help subsidize services purchased between March 13-20, 2015.

Applications received between December 15, 2014, and January 16, 2015 will be accepted. At that time, we hold a random draw from all complete applications to determine eligibility.

● Central East Region Respite Flexible Funding for Children with ASD (age 17 and under). The purpose of the Children’s Respite Flexible Fund is to help caregivers get the flexible and individualized support their family needs in order for them to take intervals of time off from their care-giving duties. Individuals that are up to the age of 18 years. After the 18th birthday, individuals no longer qualify for this funding. It is understood that family members/guardians first have to feel safe, confident and comfortable in order to take that time off. They do so when they know their family member is happy and safe and doing something that makes them feel valuable and has meaning to them. Individuals with a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder, including an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified are eligible.

The Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) program of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services provides help to parents to assist with some of the extra costs of caring for a child who has a disability. The purpose of the benefit is to help children who have disabilities live as normal a life as possible at home and in the community. In order to qualify for this program, financial and medical criteria must be met. For more information about ACSD or to apply, contact: Central East Regional Office (serves Durham Region; located in Newmarket) at 1-877-669-6658.

●The Special Services at Home (SSAH) program of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services helps children with developmental or physical disabilities and adults with a developmental disability to live at home with their families by providing funding on a time-limited basis to address individual needs. With this funding, families can purchase supports and services which they could not normally provide themselves and are not available elsewhere in the community. For more information about SSAH or to apply, contact: Central East Regional Office (serves Durham Region; located in Newmarket) at 1-877-669-6658

● The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) through the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, provides financial assistance to Ontario residents with long term physical disabilities to obtain basic, competitively priced, personalized assistive devices appropriate for the individual's needs and essential for independent living. Devices covered by the program, which may include augmentative communication devices, are intended to give people increased independence and control over their lives. They may allow them to avoid costly institutional settings and remain in a community living arrangement.

● The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) through the Ministry of Community and Social Services, is designed to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities who are in financial need, or who want and are able to work and need support. The program has two components: income support and employment support. Fore more information click here.

● Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. For more information click here. To see the Adult Developmental Services Bulletin: Spotlight on Transformation click here.

● Passport: Funding for Community Participation Supports. Adults who have a developmental disability can apply for this funding. Contact Developmental Services Ontario to apply. If you’re eligible, staff there will help you complete a developmental services application package to assess your needs and connect you with services and supports as they become available.

● The Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP-Disabilities) helps low-income homeowners and landlords to pay for repairs to modify homes to make them accessible to persons with disabilities. This program is offered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to help Canadians choose housing and to improve their housing situation.

Grants

● The Incontinence Supplies Grant Program, administered by Easter Seals Ontario, is a program fully funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for children ages 3-18 with chronic disabilities (physical or developmental) that result in incontinence or retention problems lasting longer than six months requiring the use of incontinence supplies. An application form must be completed and signed by a medical physician licensed to practice in Ontario. The child must be a resident of Ontario and hold a valid Ontario health card. The grant is a contribution to the cost of supplies and may not cover all costs. Contact the Program Coordinator at 1-800-668-6252 ext 314.

Private Funding Foundations

● Angels with Autism provides financial assistance to familes of individuals with autism to secure quality educational and therapeutic services, and to introduce sensory programs. The organization also provides scholarships to individuals with autism for post-secondary education.

● For The Love of a Child is concerned with improving the quality of life for children with special needs living in Durham Region. Their mandate is to help families in need, through financial assistance and to encourage community understanding. Phone 905-725-7411

● Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity – assists children who are chronically or seriously ill, are 21 years of age or under and whose permanent residence is in Ontario. Family income has an impact on granting decisions. Completion of a Request for Assistance Form is required. The Form may be completed by the child's parent, physician, therapist, social worker, teacher or community liaison. Requests for assistance are considered in the following areas as they are related to the child’s illness: CRISIS - Emergency Relief; CARE - Respite, Nursing Care; WELLNESS - Therapy, Medical. Further details about funding and the application process can be found on their website.

● President's Choice Children's Charity is dedicated to helping children 18 years of age and under who are physically or developmentally challenged. The aim is to remove some of the obstacles that make everyday living extremely difficult and make it a little easier for the child or family to cope with the disability. PC Children's Charity provides direct financial assistance in the purchase of expensive mobility equipment, environmental modifications, physical therapy, and more. A financial assistance application form must be completed.

Service Clubs

Consider writing letters about your child's needs to local service clubs in your community, such as Kinsmen, Lions, Optimists or Rotary as they may be able to provide funding. For a complete listing of clubs in your area, contact your local library.

Wish Foundations

● A Child's Voice Foundation - Kids Life-Line program provides much-needed assistance to financially challenged children and their families throughout Canada. Particularly at risk are children with special needs whose families are burdened financially by the extra support and services needed to care for their children. Through financial donations as well as products and services given to our Kids Life-Line program, a Child’s Voice Foundation can answer just about any call for: · Transportation to and from medical appointments · Parking permits for hospital visits · Small medical equipment and supplies · Limited in-home nursing care · Medication not covered by government or insurance · Dental procedures not covered by government or insurance · Counseling · Food vouchers · Clothing.

● The Golden Griddle Children's Charities grants the wishes of terminally ill and severely disabled children, in the hopes of making their lives brighter.

● Sunshine Dreams for Kids - grants dreams to children who are challenged by severe physical disabilities or life threatening illnesses. Although on its own, autism does not fall under the charity’s eligibility criteria, the organization recognizes that children with autism often have other physical disabilities that limit their mobility, digestion etc. The applications of all children are assessed on an individual basis, and for those children with autism as well as other physical disabilities, a medical review panel reviews each application to determine if the severity of their disabilities falls within the mandate of the organization.

Easter Seals - Easter Seals Canada manages an accessible customer service program called the Access 2 Entertainment program. The Access 2 program helps businesses provide quality customer service for guests with permanent disabilities. Through the program, people with disabilities who require a support person carry a personalized Access 2 card with them (an authorized healthcare provider certifies the need for an attendant during the application process). The card indicates to the ticket seller that the individual requires the support of an attendant. Participating venues grant 1 free admission for the support person while the person with the disability pays the regular admission fee. The card acts as verification for the need for an attendant, thus eliminating the need for front line staff to make assessments on a person’s disability – a process which becomes particularly difficult when the disability is not visible. To see the Venue List click here. To print the Application form click here.